It Don't Mean a Thing
Nuclear Whales Lyrics

These lyrics are from the song "It Don't Mean a Thing" by Nuclear Whales, which is a cover of Duke Ellington's classic. The lyrics are focused on the importance of swing music and how it can make or break a piece of music. The first line "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing" introduces the central idea that the overall enjoyment of music is dependent on the presence of swing. The repetition of "doo wah, doo wah" throughout the lyrics gives a sense of rhythm and syncopation which is crucial to swing music.

The second verse states "All you got to do is sing." This line is emphasizing that the performance of a song is almost as important as the song itself. The final verse highlights that the quality of the music doesn't matter as much as the rhythm, stating that "It makes no diff'rence if it's sweet or hot." The repetition of "doo wah, doo wah" throughout these lyrics continues to showcase the rhythmic importance to swing music.

Overall, "It Don't Mean a Thing" is stressing the significance of the rhythm and swing in music. The lyrics are attempting to convey that even the most beautifully composed music can fall flat without the presence of a syncopated rhythm. This song is a tribute to the musical style that had a central place in the jazz music scene of the 1930s.